Sign & Digital Graphics

November '18

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26 • November 2018 • S I G N & D I G I T A L G R A P H I C S
ARCHITECTURAL
AND
ENVIRONMENTAL
in past years, especially with lighting, says Alon Bar, CEO of
Vista System. Although
LEDs have long been a standard in the
signage industry, sign shops are experimenting with how they
can place
LEDs to achieve different looks. In fact, there are
so many lighting options that Bar recommends working with
an expert who can help you design your own unique lighting.
"The sky is the limit—you can go very far with being cre-
ative and making beautiful signs with
LED lighting," Bar says.
"Just as one example, you can light small areas in multiple places
to create a different look. There are way more lighting options
than you used to have."
Sign shops can also get creative in how they incorporate
digital wayfinding signage. For instance, Hutty previously
worked with a university that predominantly used brownstone
buildings and brass signage throughout campus. While the
brass signage looked nice within the environment, it didn't
serve users well. The signs blended in so much that users had
trouble even noticing the wayfinding signage. At the same time,
the university felt that excessively large signs would be out of
place and depreciate the environment.
Instead, Hutty's team integrated a subtle digital system by
cutting
QR codes into the stone, which allowed users to scan
the code and get directions from where they stand.
"While it's nice to have big signs that people will notice,
some facilities are dedicated to keeping the integrity of their
environment," Hutty says. "In those cases, implementing a digi-
tal app within your wayfinding system can make a lot of sense
because it doesn't depreciate the environment."
Curtis says more companies are also turning to branded,
unique wayfinding systems rather than your typical cookie cut-
ter sign that could fit in almost any building. Considering that
signage is inherently designed to enforce a brand, incorporat-
ing those style elements into a wayfinding system is a natural
extension.
"A lot of companies want to brand their entire facility and
create a unique look," Curtis says. "This is often achieved from
going beyond the typical square or rectangular sign shape with
custom-shaped cabinets. There are also countless options with
modular signs where other parts and components can be inte-
grated onto the signs to give them a one-off look while still
keeping them economical and functional."
Monument signs
work well in
windy areas and
can withstand
the elements.
(Photos cour-
tesy Component
Signage)